Tag: jupiter 3 50mm

Are you looking to buy the best 50mm Leica M mount lens but not sure what to get? Do you find all the Leica lens names like Summilux and Summicron confusing? I was in the same position when I bought my Leica M9! In this 2 part article I try to help from my own purchasing process. See Parts 1&2 below.

(1) Here I compare 11 different 50mm lenses I use on my Leica M cameras; facts, pros & cons, sample images to help you decide what is right for you. Test includes:

(2) In part 2 I provide a Leica Lens Guide to help you understand the Leica Lens Terminology. I then compare similar Leica lenses to again help with the decision when you are stuck between 2 lenses to buy. I provide example comparisons and a Best Leica Lens for you section.

PART 1: LEICA M 50MM LENSES COMPARED (x11)

Leica M 50mm Lenses Compared

As a Leica photographer I have now collected quite a few 50mm Leica M mount lenses. I am always interested how one lens performs against another and until I can decide my favourites I am not selling any. I thought it might be useful to do a quick comparison of 8 50mm lenses, 7 of which I own and 1 I was able to use for a day to try (Leica Noctilux 50mm f0.95). I explain my thoughts, pros and cons of each lens based on my own experience and taste and using the lens copies I own. My findings may differ from your own or from comprehensive technical reviews that have been performed for each. I have included a sample photo from each lens to give you a real example. There are specific reviews for each lens too under the Leica tab at the top of the site homepage.

50mm Lenses – Pros and Cons of Each:

1. Zeiss 50mm Planar 50mm f/2 ZM:

• Pros – Very sharp and contrasty. Focuses at 0.9m
• Cons – Too sharp for some subjects! No built in hood.
• Thoughts – Apparent clinical sharpness/ high contrast and unflattered for anything other than baby like skin
• Example Photo using a Digital Leica M9

4. Leica 50mm Summicron-M f/2 v5 (Cron 50):

• Pros – 39mm filter thread and built in hood. Focus at 0.7m. It does nothing badly
• Cons – It has no one character to lift it above other 50s.
• Thoughts – Great all rounder. It does nothing particularly well (vs. other 50s that each have a strong point) yet does nothing badly either. My least used 50 (excluding Jupiter 3 – has some focus shift to account for so not used much)
• Example Photo, Digital Leica M9

Conclusion

What is the best Leica 50mm lens?

It depends on personal taste and the task but for me –

• Summilux ASPH: close up portraits wide open (most used any lens/50mm)
• Noctilux 50 f1.0: to create ‘better’ than reality photos & less digital look
• Summarit f1.5: for a more vintage look – use flare for effect
• Summarit f2.5: for a small sharp lens (especially on film Leica cameras)
• Summicron DR: for super closeup headshots (with close up adapter)
• ZM Sonnar: for sharp environmental portraits (*sold it and regret it)
• ZM Zeiss: for the sharpest possible image (*I later sold this lens)

One camera one lens – which 50mm would I use?

52mm Lens

I didn’t include the 52mm Industar 26m f2.8 lens here as it is not strictly 50mm! (link below)

Findings

I hope you found it useful even if you do not agree with some of my findings. (I know the Leica Cron 50 is a very popular lens).

PART 2 – A GUIDE TO LEICA LENSES!

A: LEICA LENSES TERMINOLOGY

All Leica lenses are commonly broken down into different named groups depending on the widest/ fastest aperture of the lens. This is true whether a Leica 50mm lens, 35mm lens or other focal length. Here are some of the more common Leica lenses, new and old.

B: WHAT IS THE BEST LEICA LENS? (FOR YOU)

When looking to buy a new Leica lens (brand new or used) there are a few factors that you might consider –

Leica Lens Wish List

Chose your lens focal lens? – ie. 50mm

Do you need a small lens? (perhaps for travel)

Do you need a fast lens? (ie. wide aperture of f1.4-f2)(low light or portraits)

What is your budget? (used lenses are cheaper than new!)

Examples Scenarios When Buying a Leica Lens

Once you have answers question 1-4 on the Leica lens wish list above you may have one of the following decisions to make. You may be stuck in deciding between 2 Leica lenses but you are not sure which lens to buy. Assuming you are comparing the same focal length lenses, ie. 2x 50mm lenses, here are 3 simple examples that might help you decide. (There are many possible combinations so I selected just 3 examples that might be realistic).

B1. Summilux vs Summicron (f1.4 vs f2)

1.1 – 4 Reasons to Buy a Summilux rather than a Summicron

Aperture f1.4 vs f2 gives 1 stop more light for low light photography

An f stop of f1.4 gives better bokeh than f2

A Summilux lens will give better background separation than a Summicron

For portraits the Summilux lens will give more pleasing photos (soft focus skin and nice transition from sharp in focus to soft out of focus areas)

1.2 – 3 Reasons to Buy a Summilux rather than a Summicron

Summicron f2 lenses are smaller than a Summilux f1.4 lens as they contain less glass elements

Summicron lenses are therefore also lighter than a Summilux lens

Perhaps the deal breaker for many photographers – the Summicron costs less than a Summilux (Great if you don’t need the extra 1 stop of light)(f1.4 vs f2)

2.1 – 4 Reasons to Buy a Summicron rather than a Summarit

A Summicron lens will give better background separation than a Summarit (there is not a huge difference)(I use both lenses)

For portraits the Summicron will give more pleasing photos than a Summarit (but there is not a huge difference)(I use both lenses)

2.2 – 3 Reasons to Buy a Summait rather than a Summicron

Summarit f2.4-f2.5 lenses are smaller than a Summicron f2

Summarit lenses are therefore also lighter than a Summicron lens

Perhaps the deal breaker for many photographers – the Summarit costs less than a Summicron and is often seen as the budget Leica lens lineup.

B3. Summicron vs Elmarit (f2 vs f2.8)

3.1 – 4 Reasons to Buy a Summicron rather than a Elmarit

Aperture f2 vs f2.8 gives 1 stop more light for low light photography

An f stop of f2 gives better bokeh than f2.8

A Summicron will give better background separation than an Elmarit

For portraits the Summicron lens will give more pleasing pictures. (Most 50mm portrait lenses are f1.4-f2). For longer lenses such as a 90mm or 135mm an f2.8 or f4 lens can still produce nice portraits as the longer focal length accentuates the background separation, compression and bokeh.

3.2 – 3 Reasons to Buy a Elmarit rather than a Summicron

Elmarit f2.8 lenses are smaller than a Summicron f2 lens

Elmarit lenses are therefore also lighter than a Summicron lens

Perhaps the deal breaker for many photographers – the Elmarit costs less than a Summicron

Summary

There is no fixed rule that says you can’t use a f2.8-f4 lens for portraits (I use any lens for portraits). It is just a over simplified guide. Ideally for portraits I would use my 50mm f1.4 Summilux lens not my 50mm f2.8 lens but I will use my 90mm f4 lens and 135mm f4 lens for portraits.

If you are new to Leica I hope this was of some use to you. If you are a Leica nut please excuse this simple guide. I tried to find a happy medium to provide some value to the majority of readers.